Limitations
There are acknowledged limitations with this
research. This study’s mixed methods design was
chosen to form an understanding about the characteristics
of RNs practice of patient hygiene
activities as there is a dearth of literature on this
phenomenon. However, as such the findings are
limited to the research sites and not generalisable.
For phase one a sample size calculation was
not undertaken as this study aimed to describe a
snapshot of practice over a 28-day period of bedbath
activity. This may have led to bias. Another
possible limitation was the length of time allocated
data collection for the phase one survey
period. The 28-day period when RNs were asked
to complete a questionnaire for every episode of
patient hygiene (bed-bath) they performed was
selected to provide a comprehensive snapshot of
practice. The survey was completed on every
bed-bath episode therefore individual RNs may
have completed the survey multiple times resulting
in bias in description of bed-bathing practice.
Response rates were low perhaps reflecting the
repetitive nature of questionnaire completion and
leading to a sampling error. It is also acknowledged
that data was not collected on the number
of staff required to be mobilised for the bedbath
procedure or the bed-bathing requirements
of specific patient populations such as bariatric
patients. Although the FG practically divided RN’si nto three groups on the basis of experience, it is
acknowledged that the process of self-selection,
whereby RNs volunteered to participate, may
have biased FG interviews and consequently data
generated.